Barak bridge likely to be restored before Christmas

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Aug 25

Awangbou Newmai, parliamentary secretary of Minor Irrigation, CADA, Agriculture and PWD, Government of Manipur has assured to restore the damaged suspension bridge over Barak river at Namtiram village before forthcoming of Christmas.

He was speaking at the mammoth gathering at Namtiram village under Tousem sub-division during his maiden inspection to the damaged suspension bridge.

The landslide with big rocks had damaged the stringing of suspension bridge over Barak river between Tousem sub-division and Tamenglong district on August 16.

The parliamentary secretary was accompanied by Tamenglong ADC members including Pouhotlung Panmei, Charles Liangdiyang, Ramning Pame, Micah Panmei, Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong, Armstrong Pame, SDO Tousem S Khupboi Aimol, assistant engineer, Bridge Division, PWD Manipur, Irom Irabot Singh, executive engineer, PWD Tamenglong Division, N. Gunadwaja.

Awangbou Newmai further said that he had come to inspect the damaged suspension bridge and study to construct a permanent bridge. He said that more than 40 to 50 villages’ life line has been cut off. The bridge must be constructed as early as possible even though there is no fund allotted, he added.

He further informed that the chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh and other officials to take initiative concerning the plight of the Tousem area. He also urged all to give full cooperation and support to all government officials posted at Tousem division.

While speaking about the damaged suspension bridge, Armstrong Pame mentioned how he faced hardship when Makhru bridged was swiped by flood water while he was posted as SDO in Tousem.

Meanwhile, Light Commercial Vehicles Association, Tamenglong also submitted a memorandum urging the parliamentary secretary to maintain the ring road. The association also sponsored vehicles to reach Barak river during the parliamentary secretary’s visit to the damaging bridge.

Chairman of Namtiram Village Authority, ID Arangbou, expressed his disappointment to the authority concerned for not checking and maintaining the bridge despite of several petitions.  He further expressed his gratitude to Armstrong Pame, for providing financial assistant to construct temporary bridges and for donating one boat. He also thanked ADC members, Ramning Pame and Micah Panmei.

I D Arangbou also submitted a memorandum to the parliamentary secretary to include in the work programme to construct new Barak bridge at Namtiram village.